6 Korean Drama Remakes That Outshined The US Originals
These K-dramas are just as impressive as their American prototypes.
It's not uncommon for Hollywood to remake Korean films and series, such as Oldboy or the recent meme-driven The Good Doctor. However, attempts to adapt East Asian intellectual properties for Western audiences often result in the loss of significant socio-cultural context.
Conversely, the South Korean TV industry has been more successful at localising foreign franchises. Here are some of the best K-dramas inspired by US originals.
6. Woori the Virgin (2022, 1 season)
IMDb rating: 5.3/10
Hispanics and Koreans share a common devotion to Christianity. Consequently, Woori the Virgin is an excellent adaptation of the American romantic comedy Jane the Virgin, which is itself an adaptation of the Venezuelan series Juana la Virgen.
The plot remains the same — the protagonist intends to stay a virgin until marriage, only to discover she has been artificially inseminated by accident.
5. The Good Wife (2016, 1 season)
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Like its American namesake, this K-drama follows the story of a housewife who must return to the legal profession to support her family after her husband is arrested for corruption. The series is notable for accurately depicting the struggles of middle-aged women trying to find employment in a patriarchal, hierarchical society.
4. Suits (2018, 1 season)
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Many IMDb users have noted that the Korean adaptation is on par with the American version, and the fact that it has fewer episodes translates into more effective storytelling. Additionally, within the context of Korean society, it's always refreshing to see independent female characters who can stand up to men.
3. Leverage (2019, 1 season)
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
Like the American action drama, the Korean adaptation follows a talented fraud investigator who hires a group of con artists to rob the wealthy and distribute the wealth to victims and people in need. The series was highly praised for its pacing, humour, and interpersonal chemistry.
2. Romance Is a Bonus Book (2019, 1 season)
IMDb rating: 8.0/10
Romance Is a Bonus Book is loosely based on the US series Younger. However, while ageism often targets older people in American society, in Korea, it's often the other way around, and it's the young that get discriminated against because of their perceived lack of experience.
1. Designated Survivor: 60 Days (2019, 1 season)
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
In this series, as in the US original starring Kiefer Sutherland, the unambitious Minister of the Environment unexpectedly becomes the sole survivor of a terrorist attack and is thrust into the role of Acting President. What sets this series apart is its exploration of the unique aspects of the Korean political structure and the ongoing conflict with North Korea.